Pro baseball Samsung Lions‘ pitcher Won Tae-In will return as the starting pitcher for Game 5 of the 2026 Korean Series (KS). The announcement was made on November 7, as the Lions prepare for their fourth matchup against the kt wiz at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu. The Lions currently hold a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven championship.
Lions’ Won Tae-In to Start Game 5 of Korean Series
In an interview on the day of Game 4, Won expressed his determination for the upcoming start. “I can’t say my condition is perfect, but my goal is to pitch well,” he stated. I’m thinking of getting through each inning well. I want to get the next batter, and the batter after that, one by one.
This is Won’s second championship series. In 2024, during his first KS against the KIA Tigers, he pitched five scoreless innings in Game 1 but suffered a right shoulder injury after giving up six runs in 2⅓ innings during Game 4. The Lions lost the series 1-4. This time, he has shifted to the bullpen to adapt to his team’s needs. With closer Kim Jae-kyun sidelined by injury, Won contributed 3⅔ innings with one earned run in three playoff games against KIA. He also pitched 1⅔ innings of one-run (unearned) ball in the ninth inning of Game 2 against kt, helping set up the team’s walk-off victory in extra innings.
I thought it would be better to rest for one more day and pitch in better condition.
He also noted he warms up for longer than usual before games to maintain his body temperature in the colder autumn weather, as starting pitchers need to pitch for a long time in the cold.
Won’s primary goal is to clinch the title at home in Daegu. My first goal is to end it in Daegu,
he said. I want to pitch in good condition for Game 5. If the series goes to Games 6 and 7, I will willingly wait in the bullpen as the manager directs.
When asked if he is following in the footsteps of MLB’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series title last year with a mix of starts and relief appearances, Won simply smiled and replied, I’m already doing that.
Right now, I want to dedicate everything to winning the championship as a Samsung Lions player.
